585 From Fibrinolysis to the Plasminogen–Plasmin System and Beyond: A Remarkable Growth of Knowledge, with Personal Observations on the History of Fibrinolysis* Hau C. Kwaan, MD, FRCP1 1 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, and Address for correspondence Hau C. Kwaan, MD, FRCP, Room 8258, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern Olson Pavilion, 710 North Fairbanks Court, Chicago, IL 60611, University, Chicago, Illinois (e-mail: [email protected]). Semin Thromb Hemost 2014;40:585–591. Abstract Great advances have been made in our understanding of the fibrinolytic system from the initial discovery of proteolysis of fibrin by plasmin to the multifaceted and complex role of the plasminogen–plasmin (P–P) system. We now know that the P–Psystemis composed of several serine proteases and their inhibitors (serpins). This system is involved in many physiological functions, including embryogenesis, cell migration, and wound healing. They also play an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including atherosclerosis, obesity, cancer, and even autoimmune disorders, and Keywords neuronal degeneration. Knowledge of their role in cancer enables their use as a ► fibrinolysis prognostic factor. Therapeutic use of various forms of proteases derived from this ► plasminogen system has been employed as thrombolytic agents. In addition, small molecules ► plasminogen designed to inhibit many of the components of the P–P system are now available for activator clinical trial, aimed at treatment of these various disorders. The history of such ► PAI-1 remarkable development of our knowledge on fibrinolysis is reviewed in this article. Among the many advances in our understanding of the targeted by new inhibitors. On the 40th anniversary of Semi- various physiologic phenomena, few can match that of fibri- nars in Thrombosis & Hemostasis, it seems appropriate to nolysis. This is the process in which a fibrin clot is removed by provide our readers with a historical overview of this remark- the body when its hemostatic function is completed. The able development, along with some interesting personal fibrinolytic system plays an important role in many of the observations and an outlook into the enormous translational physiologic functions of the body as well as in the pathogen- potential of this system. esis of many diseases. Our knowledge of this system, also known as the plasminogen–plasmin system (P–P system), has Early Observations This document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited. made enormous advances from regulation of hemostasis to the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases including Postmortem Fibrinolysis atherosclerosis, obesity, cancer, and even autoimmune dis- This phenomenon was first observed in postmortem blood by orders, as well as neuronal degeneration. New findings both Morgagni1 in 1769 and later John Hunter2 in 1794. The recently obtained have enormous therapeutic implications. latter wrote: Components of the fibrinolytic system can be selectively In many modes of destroying life the blood is deprived of its power of coagulation, as happens in sudden death * This article is dedicated to my mentor Alexander J. S. McFadzean, produced by many kinds of fits, by anger, electricity or FRCP, who started it all for me. published online Issue Theme A Short History of Copyright © 2014 by Thieme Medical DOI http://dx.doi.org/ July 7, 2014 Thrombosis and Hemostasis: Part I (40th Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, 10.1055/s-0034-1383545. Year Celebratory Issue); Guest Editor, New York, NY 10001, USA. ISSN 0094-6176. Emmanuel J. Favaloro, PhD, FFSc (RCPA). Tel: +1(212) 584-4662. 586 Plasminogen–Plasmin System Kwaan lightning; or by a blow on the stomach, etc. In these hemorrhage,21,23 strenuous exercise, and the injection of cases we find the blood, after death, not only as fluid a adrenaline.25 It was believed that adrenaline might have state as in the living vessels, but it does not even been responsible, as conditions such as alarming suggestions coagulate when taken out of them. under hypnosis, anxiety in students about to take part in examinations, and patients awaiting gastroscopy, could all Virchow noted that “capillary blood in the cadaver was induce fibrinolysis. The finding that excessive fibrinolysis always fluid and incoagulable and that the blood in the veins could cause major clinical bleeding was observed in many was more often than not incoagulable.” From this astute disorders, and was referred to as “fibrinolytic purpura.”26 It observation, he hypothesized that liquefaction of blood orig- was seen in transfusion reactions,27 severe burns,28 meta- inated from the endothelium.3 Morawitz observed that in static carcinoma of the prostate,29 obstetrical complications sudden death, there was no fibrinogen in the blood, that such such as abruption placentae and amniotic fluid embo- – – blood contained a lysin that could destroy the fibrinogen and lism,30 33 and in many types of surgical operations,33 35 fibrin in normal human blood.4 Yudin made use of these some complicated with fatal intraoperative hemorrhage. In discoveries and published the results of transfusion of liver diseases, spontaneous plasma fibrinolysis was first cadaver blood in Russia in 49 clinical cases by selecting noted by Goodpasture.36 He devised a simple test for fibrino- subjects that died from sudden death.5 Blood was collected lysis by observing the dissolution of a clot formed from without preservatives from the jugular vein to avoid the recalcified blood over 24 hours. This “Goodpasture test” infected mesenteric blood and could be stored in the refrig- was used for many years in North America. Soon after, Ratnoff erator for up to 4 weeks. He and his assistants Skundina and confirmed presence of fibrinolytic activity in cirrhosis but not Rusakov were able to observe the process of fibrinolysis in in acute hepatitis.37 postmortem blood under a microscope. Personal Observations In Vitro Observations In 1838, Denis observed that blood collected by wet-cupping My introduction to this topic was serendipitous. In 1955, first clotted and then spontaneously dissolved in 12 to 24 while performing the one-stage thrombin time, using hours.6 In 1887, Green noted that fibrin disintegrated in Quick original method, as part of the work up of a cirrhotic saline without obvious bacterial action.7 In 1893, the term patient with massive intraoperative hemorrhage, I encoun- “fibrinolysis” was first given by Dastre,8 who noted that the tered difficulty in obtaining the end point. A thin wisp of process was a source of error in the measurement of fibrin in fibrin was formed but quickly disappeared under my eyes. plasma. With dog’s blood, he found an average loss of 8% in Such was the dramatic effect of the excessive fibrinolysis weight of fibrin on incubation for 18 hours. While many activated by surgery in cirrhosis,38,39 thus confirming investigators were pursuing the isolation of the enzyme observations by others.36,37 As the origin of the fibrinolytic – “fibrinolysin” from the plasma,9 11 Tillet and Gardner made activity was unknown at the time, we used direct a notable contribution by observing that a filtrate from approaches studying venous blood in vivo in man and streptococcus could activate the process of fibrinolysis and found that fibrinolytic activity could be released from veins went on to isolate the enzyme streptokinase (SK).12 Milstone after various stimuli.40,41 Likewise, similar results were showed that the globulin fraction of plasma could produce found in experimentally induced venous thrombi in rab- fibrinolysis.13 Kaplan and later Christensen and McLeod bits.42 As discussed earlier, Virchow, by noting that blood in found that this protein is inactive itself, but it is the precursor small blood vessels was more likely fluid and incoagulable of the protease. The precursor of this was then termed than blood collected from larger vessels,3 had suspected – plasminogen and the active enzyme plasmin.14 16 Biochemi- that blood vessels were the origin of fibrinolysis. But our cal studies led to discovery of plasminogen activators (PAs). findings were the firstdirectobservationthatfibrinolytic They are naturally occurring within our bodies as tissue activity was derived from veins. plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase, also known as Several interesting aspects of our studies are noteworthy. This document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited. urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). They are also First, we observed that stimulation of one venous segment found in bacteria, such as SK in β-hemolytic streptococcus could release fibrinolytic activity from another vein located and staphylokinase in staphylococcus, and in other animals, far from the site of stimulation, indicating that the stimulus such as desmoteplase in the vampire bat saliva. They were put could be transmitted via perivascular sympathetic nerves.41 to therapeutic use for thrombolysis, with SK being first used At the time, we were mystified and had no other explanation to break down fibrinous pleural adhesions in 194917 and in for this phenomenon. Some 50 years later, Jim O’Rourke came acute myocardial infarction.18 to me at a meeting and excitedly told me that he had demonstrated that the perivascular sympathetic pathway In Vivo Observations was indeed responsible for this signal transmission.43,44 Many studies were performed during this period in experi- In our studies on animals, experimentally induced venous mental animals, showing that fibrinolytic activity can be thrombi were produced in the marginal veins of rabbit’s induced by anaphylactic shock,19,20 severe hemorrhage,21 ears.42 Parallel studies using these stimuli were done using and electric convulsion.22 In man, increased fibrinolytic the lysis of the thrombi as the end point. The findings verified activity was found during surgical operations,23,24 severe that we had the ones observed in the human veins.42,45 Seminars in Thrombosis & Hemostasis Vol.